Hey all, so this is going to sound remarkably stupid but I've never caught a connecting flight before, how does it work exactly? I've been flying for years and I'm happy catching planes/navigating airports, I've just never actually had to do the connecting bit!

I'm presuming that once I get off one flight, I don't go pick up my bag or re-check in, I just go straight back through to departures and go to the right gate for my next flight? Or something like that, please correct me if I'm wrong!

I'm flying from Manchester -->Amsterdam --> Lima if that's of any relevance!

HiIf you are flying with the same airline then your luggage should be checked through to Lima. I've done a few connecting flights but generally with the same airline (Singapore Air) doing both legs and my luggage has always been forwarded to my final destination. Airlines that codeshare should be the same.Perhaps you could check with the airline/travel agent to double check.Desiree

Best to check out the airport and with the airline. I don't have any personal experience with the itinery you are doing but know that at some international airports you have to pick up your bags, go through immigration, then recheck your bags and go through security again. In the United States you always have to go through immigration even if leaving the country 45 minutes later but depending on the airport you may have your bags checked right through. For example, in Houston, you have to pick up your bags but in Dallas, they may check them right through. In Houston, which has a reputation for being very slow at immigration, allow at least 2 hours in between flights if arriving from outside of the United States. In Toronto you also need to pick up your bags and recheck them and go through immigration and customs. However, in San Salvador and Frankfurt, as long as you remain in the secure area you are fine and your bags will be checked right through.

Usually your bag is checked through to final destination...but I always ask just in case. You also usually get boarding passes for all flights when you check in, but occasionally you have to get a new boarding pass in the layover city. Sometimes the gates change so double check when you land.

Amsterdam has a great airport...if your layover is a long one you can take a train into the city centre and wander around. If you take the escalators upstairs there are a couple of places you can find lounge chairs to relax and nap in.